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MAY 22, 2007 at 2:48 PM
Posted by CHEESER
Source: HPANA
Making a Harry Potter movie is unlike most other films. Meticulous attention to detail is paramount, even when viewers may not see it all in the final product. This is what ran through my mind as I walked around in awe on the set of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
Being the first movie set I'd ever visited, everything jumped out at me -- the textures, details, even the mood of places I'd become so comfortable seeing in my mind and on the screen; brand new places that would become additions to the fandom's collective imagination when the film was released; and old, dilapidated set pieces and props banished to the dusty corridors of Leavesden Studios, or worse, left outside to die by sun and rain. After an entire day living and breathing in Harry Potter's universe, I came to an odd realization: it is simultaneously vivid and dull, detailed and fuzzy, awesome but normal.
I'll explain.
Imagine reading some thousands of pages of fiction, colorfully imagining its complex cosmos in your head, filling in the gaps with your own creativity. I'm sure many fans can remember what the Harry Potter books looked like in their imagination before the first film turned it into a visual, semi-tangible reality eight years ago. What the characters looked like, how they sounded, what the Hogwarts Express might have felt like riding as it rocketed towards Hogwarts, the Great Hall and the Forbidden Forest.
Now suspend all of that vibrant imagery and realize you have to place trust of the whole of creation in the hands of filmmakers who will essentially make their own visions the de facto standard. After seeing the first movie (and the others that followed), how difficult is it now to picture Harry Potter as anyone else but Daniel Radcliffe? What about Dumbledore and Michael Gambon (or Richard Harris for the puritans)? Hermione Granger, homely and book smart, portrayed by the increasingly beautiful Emma Watson?
Yet, with the help of creator JK Rowling, moviemakers David Heyman and Chris Columbus managed to oversee the creation of something not far from what millions of fans had already dreamed up in their minds. Alfonso Cuarón and Mike Newell took a shot at it, and under watchful eye, also stayed true to the original vision.
Now entrusted to "3D" (the three d's: producers David Heyman and David Barron, and director David Yates), it quickly became clear as I was led through the hallowed halls of the studio that the ship was still sailing smoothly, and that everyone involved truly cared about the sanctity of their responsibility. (That's even more apparent now that we know Yates will be returning to direct Half-Blood Prince. The actors all said they loved working with him.)
Walking around Leavesden was... let's say, trippy. It reminded me of a giant Home Depot store, with its industrial lighting, high unfinished ceilings and... (turning a corner)... Oh my god! It's 12 Grimmauld Place. That's pretty much what happened, time and again. One minute we were walking in a hallway (which has a posted speed limit of 5mph -- no joke!), the next we had stepped through a door and right into the Great Hall, or outside to an incredible replica of Privet Drive complete with pavement, lamp posts and landscaped lawns.
It was, in the parlance of the fandom, "squeefully" exciting. So, what was I on about, dull and normal? As the day wore on, and as we watched the ninth or tenth take of a scene, it occurred to me the whole thing was normal, and at times maybe a bit dull for those involved. People come to work every day to a place many fans can only dream about visiting. Most of them put in long, tedious hours (I was there just one day and was truly "knackered" by the end).
Still, you will no doubt find me elbowing the person next to me every time we watch Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix in the theatre or on DVD, a little too excitedly remarking, "I was right there!" or "I watched them film that scene!" Just because I now know how the trick was done doesn't mean it's not magic.
Stay tuned as we approach the film's release on July 13. Coming soon is a more detailed look at the set, and interviews with two of the three D's (Heyman and Barron), production designer Stuart Craig, Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Matthew Lewis and James and Oliver Phelps. I also get left behind in the Great Hall and realize how frighteningly large Leavesden is as I find my way back to the group!
UPDATE: You can read DanRadcliffe.co.uk's teaser report
(Page was with me and Matthew from Veritaserum for the day of our visit). The Leaky Cauldron and MuggleNet visited the set later and have also posted a preview of their report (via podcast).
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Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1426
~Hermione says:
Wow! That is great. I would love to see the Harry Potter set. It seems to be amazing.
Posted May 23, 2007 at 9:59 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 357
flamecaster says:
I am so.... excited to read this.The weaselys look awesome.Thanks Hpana and cheeser for giving this information.
Posted May 23, 2007 at 10:34 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1647
Hermione's younger sister says:
That is so cool! You are so lucky to see all of those cool actors and actresses. That would be like a dream come true for me. Is hpana funding this trip? Did they send this person?
Posted May 23, 2007 at 10:52 AM EST
Witch
Points: 885
Rachyracho says:
This is awesome. I would love the chance to visit the set and see how so much of what we love is put onto the big screen.
Posted May 23, 2007 at 11:39 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 472
hedwig86 says:
That would have been really cool to see the set! I'm excited to see 12 Grimmauld Place!
Posted May 23, 2007 at 1:41 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2011
brenpotterfans says:
OH, how I would absolutely love to see the set. Reading about it is actually pretty entertaining too though.
Posted May 23, 2007 at 1:42 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1229
sapphire260 says:
That would be a lot to have placed on your hands, but that is why there is people paid to do it. People that are good at it too!
Posted May 23, 2007 at 1:48 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1771
Patronus** says:
I never got round to visiting the set!
Oh well, there is always next time....i'm not planning to move from london anytime soon!
sounds exciting, i would love to be on a film set!
Posted May 23, 2007 at 3:04 PM EST
Squib
Points: 186
NewMoon27 says:
Wow... I would love to be on the set of the movie. There would be so much to see and you can learn so much from them. Thanks for the report, it is fantastic.
Posted May 23, 2007 at 3:36 PM EST
Witch
Points: 894
darkside rocker says:
It sounds so amazing and cool i WISH i COULD SEE EVERYTHING.
Posted May 23, 2007 at 3:41 PM EST
Chief Brain Washer
Points: 2875
Chogiiiirl says:
What a cool report. I would really enjoy visiting the set of a HP movie, but I doubt that will ever happen. At least I can read it on HPANA!
Posted May 23, 2007 at 5:15 PM EST
Witch
Points: 896
QueenOfAmouraq says:
I've forgotten what that must feel like to someone who doesn't act (because I'm an actress). It's exciting when you first see it, but after a while, it becomes very normal, very familiar. I think it'd be so exciting to become familiar with that set! These people who get to watch these Harry Potter scenes being filmed or who get watch behind the scenes first hand are so lucky!
Posted May 23, 2007 at 6:41 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 429
heva 'bev' says:
That was really interesting, to get an outsiders view on the making of the films:) was refreshing to read, and very exciting!
Posted May 23, 2007 at 6:56 PM EST
Witch
Points: 557
Amelia Black says:
Whoa! Long article. I think Yates is doing a marvelous job!
Posted May 23, 2007 at 7:21 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1819
zues says:
It would have been SO cool to have been on the set of OOTF.
Posted May 23, 2007 at 7:57 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1252
1USHPFN says:
What a great chance to see something so interesting. A very nice read also. Looking forward to reading other installments.
Posted May 23, 2007 at 8:41 PM EST
Witch
Points: 948
Grimmauld Place says:
I really wish I could see something like this. I am sure it really is like magic to see all of the sets. I would love to see them in person and be able to explore. I wonder if they take them down between the shooting of the films. I guess there probably isn't much time between them though.
Posted May 23, 2007 at 9:36 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 412
FantasticalHP says:
WOW! That artcile was great. I loved all the little details and I am so jealous of you. I wish I could experience something like that.
The movies to me are seperate from the books but still a magical element of the Harry Potter universe of which I'm totally obsessed.
Posted May 24, 2007 at 12:39 AM EST
Delusional Army Soldier
Points: 4399
ILoveHP! says:
You go HPANA! Cool report! I can just imagine how you felt! You're so lucky!
Posted May 24, 2007 at 1:37 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2860
mad_eye muggle says:
Wow!It sounds soooooo cool!Wish I could be there.Really can't wait to see OotP.HP RULES!
Posted May 24, 2007 at 2:20 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1867
Silver_Lining says:
Wow i'd love to visit the sets, they sound amazing!
Posted May 24, 2007 at 3:42 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 395
Harry Potter Book Worm says:
Cool. I am so jelous. I would love to be on set even if it is only once.
Posted May 24, 2007 at 5:48 AM EST
Student
Points: 275
marcjosef says:
ewww!! Astonishing information.. I got jealous I also want to be in the set... hehehe =)
Posted May 24, 2007 at 7:53 AM EST
Witch
Points: 983
crazywitch says:
Wow that sounds absolutely amazing, I would love to be to go and have a look around the sets in the studios.
Posted May 24, 2007 at 4:57 PM EST
Witch
Points: 829
HPMommy says:
That sounds like a totally awsome experiance. I could only wish for a chance like that. I can imagine how it would be to walk through in essence the Harry Potter world. To actually have it come alive in front of me. I feel like that's how this next movie is going to be, especially the 3-d version of it.
Posted May 24, 2007 at 10:34 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1292
loonylupinlover says:
How wonderfully exciting. It is an event of a lifetime to be able to be there and watch and see how things are done. I don't think the magic would ever be taken away just because you saw the behind the scenes. I am sure there are many, many, many fans who would have loved to have been there as well.
Posted May 24, 2007 at 11:45 PM EST
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